21 



P^OSE-flREASTED <§>OCKATO.O. 



Psittacus roseicajpillus, Russ. 



Synonyms: Cacatua roseicapilla, Plictolophus roseicapillus, 



Eolojphus roseus, etc. German: Der rosenrothe KaJcadu. 



THIS handsome but common bird is a native of the greater part 

 of the Australian continent, and is, perhaps, one of the best known 

 of its species in this country, where it has been imported in considerable 

 numbers for many years past: the London Zoological Society having 

 added an example to their collection as far back as the year 1843. 



With the exception of the Leadbeater it is, unquestionably, the most 

 beautiful member of the sub-family of the Cockatoos, and it is much 

 to be regretted that it has few qualifications, beyond its delicate lavender 

 grey coat, its rosy-red waistcoat, and its white head-dress just tinged 

 with pink, to recommend it to the notice of amateurs. 



The Cockatoos, as a rule, are not gifted with sweet voices, quite the 

 contrary : but for an ear-piercing shriek, enough, after a few repetitions, 

 to drive a sensitive person almost crazy, commend us to the Eosy 

 Cockatoo. 



Our experience of these birds has not been felicitous; but we are, 

 nevertheless, unwilling to condemn the whole race for the shortcomings 

 of a few individuals, and very possibly, nay very probably, or they 

 would not command the ready sale they do, we have been unfortunate 

 with our Rosy Cockatoos; still we must speak of them as we have 

 found them, and with us they have not proved themselves teachable, 

 or endearing in any way: one or two short words might be learned, 

 but as to speaking, they never accomplished it; some of them have 

 no doubt been tamed, but ours utterly repudiated the notion of recon- 

 ciliation with their natural enemy man, and remained the most utter 

 savages to the very last. 



Mr. Wiener has also found this bird "stupid and uninteresting", 

 and thinks its "screeching propensities will be less if kept in pairs"; 



